Single Idea 13572

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 1. Universals]

Full Idea

Three categories of universals: 'substantive' universals have instances that are members of natural kinds of objects or substances; 'dynamic' universals are kinds of events or processes; 'property' universals are tropes of real properties or relations.

Gist of Idea

There are 'substantive' (objects of some kind), 'dynamic' (events of some kind) and 'property' universals

Source

Brian Ellis (Scientific Essentialism [2001], 1.01)

Book Reference

Ellis,Brian: 'Scientific Essentialism' [CUP 2007], p.18


A Reaction

I would want to distinguish real properties from relations. It is important to remember that an object can traditionally instantiate a universal, and that they aren't just properties.